The Top 10 ADP Workforce Now Alternatives You Need to Know in 2025

by Gabby Davis Oct 15,2025
PODCAST

The People Strategy Leaders Podcast

with Srikant Chellappa, CEO

1. Engagedly

Engagedly is an AI-powered talent management solution built to cover every aspect of workforce growth. With the support of Marissa, our AI SuperAgent, the platform helps mid-sized organizations tackle common challenges such as inconsistent reviews, misaligned goals, low engagement, and scattered learning experiences—turning these obstacles into opportunities for development.

AI-Powered Talent Transformation

Engagedly brings performance management, employee engagement, and learning into one connected platform. Guided by Marissa’s intelligence, organizations receive actionable insights and proactive suggestions that boost productivity while creating a culture of continuous growth.

Key Features with Marissa AI

  • Performance Reviews: AI-led assessments deliver fair, consistent, and transparent evaluations, improving employee trust, retention, and satisfaction.
  • Goal Setting & Alignment: Marissa recommends goals, aligns them with company strategy, and monitors progress in real time.
  • Employee Engagement: AI sentiment analysis uncovers morale issues and offers data-driven ways to strengthen engagement and reduce attrition.
  • Continuous Feedback: Smart nudges encourage regular feedback loops, helping managers and employees build stronger communication and growth habits.
  • Learning Management: AI-personalized learning paths streamline upskilling and development—no need for separate tools.
  • 360-Degree Feedback: Enhanced analytics deliver deeper, well-rounded insights from peers, managers, and direct reports.
  • OKRs (Objectives & Key Results): Automated tracking and predictive insights keep teams aligned with organizational objectives.
  • Employee Recognition: AI identifies high performers and recommends timely recognition, reinforcing motivation and appreciation.

User Experience

Engagedly provides a clean, intuitive experience across desktop and mobile. With Marissa’s conversational interface, users interact naturally—transforming what used to be complex menus into straightforward, strategic conversations that drive intelligent action.

What Makes Engagedly Different

Engagedly is more than a standard HR platform—it’s an Agentic AI-powered talent engine. With Marissa at its core, organizations can:

  • Automate routine tasks, freeing leaders to focus on strategy.
  • Access predictive insights to solve issues before they become problems.
  • Build a culture of recognition, growth, and sustained high performance.

For mid-sized businesses looking to elevate their talent strategy, Engagedly with Marissa offers more than an upgrade—it delivers a true competitive edge.

2. Lattice

Lattice is a performance management and employee engagement platform centered on continuous feedback and employee growth. It enables organizations to set goals, conduct structured performance reviews, and measure engagement.

Key Features:

  • Performance Reviews for structured evaluations.
  • OKRs and goal-tracking tools.
  • Continuous feedback and 1:1 tools.
  • Engagement surveys for employee satisfaction.

User Experience:
Lattice’s interface is intuitive, analytics are strong, and adoption is high due to its simple design.

USP:
A strong focus on employee development and continuous improvement, making it ideal for growth-oriented companies.

3. Leapsome

Leapsome combines performance management with learning and development, offering a holistic platform for employee growth.

Key Features:

  • Customizable performance review processes.
  • Goal setting and OKR alignment.
  • Continuous feedback channels.
  • Built-in learning management tools.

User Experience:
Leapsome’s workflows are highly customizable, and its clean design ensures easy navigation.

USP:
The integration of performance management and learning gives organizations a two-in-one solution.

4. PerformYard

PerformYard focuses on flexible performance management tailored to each company’s unique processes.

Key Features:

  • Customizable performance review cycles.
  • Goal tracking and alignment tools.
  • 360-degree feedback options.
  • Reporting and analytics dashboards.

User Experience:
Known for its adaptability, PerformYard provides flexibility without overwhelming users.

USP:
Ideal for organizations wanting customized workflows that fit their exact performance management strategy.

5. 15Five

15Five is a well-recognized performance management platform emphasizing weekly check-ins and ongoing feedback.

Key Features:

  • Weekly pulse check-ins for managers and employees.
  • OKRs and goal-setting tools.
  • Engagement surveys and peer recognition.
  • Performance review functionality.

User Experience:
The platform is designed to encourage frequent manager-employee touchpoints through a clean, user-friendly interface.

USP:
Its check-in model fosters ongoing conversations and accountability.

6. Culture Amp

Culture Amp combines engagement surveys with performance management tools, offering data-driven insights to improve culture.

Key Features:

  • Engagement surveys with benchmarks.
  • Performance review tools.
  • Goal setting and tracking.
  • Continuous feedback.

User Experience:
Provides actionable insights through an easy-to-use interface.

USP:
Known for culture-focused analytics, it helps organizations improve engagement and inclusivity.

7. Workday

Workday is an enterprise-grade HR and finance platform with comprehensive performance and workforce management tools.

Key Features:

  • Goal setting and career development planning.
  • Performance evaluations.
  • Learning and talent management.
  • Workforce analytics.

User Experience:
Workday is robust and feature-rich but comes with a steeper learning curve, making it more suited to large enterprises.

USP:
Its end-to-end HR and finance integration sets it apart for enterprise-scale businesses.

8. BambooHR

BambooHR is an all-in-one HR solution with lightweight performance management capabilities.

Key Features:

  • Performance reviews and self-assessments.
  • Feedback and goal tracking.
  • Employee data management.
  • Time-off and leave tracking.

User Experience:
BambooHR is known for its ease of use and clean design, making it popular with SMBs.

USP:
Its all-in-one HR approach appeals to smaller organizations needing both HR and performance tools.

9. Cornerstone OnDemand

Cornerstone OnDemand is a comprehensive talent management suite focused on learning and development alongside performance.

Key Features:

  • Learning management and training.
  • Performance review tools.
  • Succession planning.
  • Skills development.

User Experience:
Feature-rich and scalable, though better suited to larger companies.

USP:
Its strength lies in deep learning and development tools paired with performance management.

10. ClearCompany

ClearCompany is a talent management system with a strong emphasis on recruiting and performance alignment.

Key Features:

  • Applicant tracking and onboarding.
  • Performance review tools.
  • Goal alignment and feedback.
  • Engagement surveys.

User Experience:
A straightforward interface with strong recruiting-performance integration.

USP:
Unique for its recruitment + performance management blend, making it useful for growing companies.

Conclusion

While ADP Workforce Now is a strong HR platform, organizations in 2025 have no shortage of alternatives offering specialized tools, better integrations, or more intuitive user experiences.

  • Platforms like Engagedly, Lattice, and Leapsome stand out for employee-centric growth and continuous improvement.
  • PerformYard and 15Five excel at flexible, feedback-driven models.
  • Workday, BambooHR, and Cornerstone OnDemand deliver scalability and comprehensive HR functionality.
  • Culture Amp and ClearCompany focus on engagement, analytics, and alignment.

By carefully evaluating features, user experience, and unique value propositions, businesses can identify the ADP Workforce Now alternative that aligns best with their goals—and build a motivated, high-performing workforce.

Gabby Davis

Gabby Davis is the Lead Trainer for the US Division of the Customer Experience Team. She develops and implements processes and collaterals related to the client onboarding experience and guides clients across all tiers through the initial implementation of Engagedly as well as Mentoring Complete. She is passionate about delivering stellar client experiences and ensuring high adoption rates of the Engagedly product through engaging and impactful training and onboarding.

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